Despite the expected heavy rain from this week’s upcoming storm, customers with the East Bay Municipal Utility District will see their water bills increase to cover costs for improving services associated to the state’s ongoing drought.

We look at East Bay-based organizations that are more than deserving of a spotlight for all they do 365 days a year. During the holidays, the increased demand for food and distribution must be met by volunteers’ actions and generosity.

A million dollars doesn’t buy much in the way of luxury anymore if you are home shopping in San Francisco, the South Bay or the Peninsula. That may explain the recent surge in luxury home sales in Oakland.

An East Bay school district that denied a Latina girl access to its free lunch program hired a private investigator in its attempt to kick the second grader out of the district for allegedly living outside its boundaries.

Most of the Bay Area has already received an inch of much-needed rainfall over the past three days. We will likely double our rain totals, as the strongest storm we will see this week moves closer to Northern California.

A popular alternative to the typical coffee house or bar hangouts, hookah bars offer a relaxing spot to chill with friends and enjoy an evening out. Let us help make the evening’s plans a breeze with this list of five of the best hookah bars in the Bay Area.